family doesnt understand what I want

Trauma Columnist · Oct 14, 2005

Hi Amber and welcome. I was 32 when I went to nursing school. I had two sons ages 5 and 10 and a husband in the military. I did the LPN, was an LPN for two years while I did the RN - have been an RN for 11 years now. It is possible to do it piecemeal - what works for you and your family is what you do. Good luck and take care. You know your goals - don't listen to the naysayers.

ParalyzeDragon · Oct 14, 2005

I am not a Mom, but I do know a lady who went this route. She is an ICU nurse and has 2 kids. She told me she first went to LPN school then transitioned over to an associates in RN then to the BSN. For her it was good. And I think it is a good route. I mean you can earn money quiker as LPN first and then RN and then BSN. If I could have started over right out of highschool I would have done it this way.

whiteflowers · Oct 14, 2005

Hi there...first of all, let me commend you on having the courage to go back to school when you have a full house! It will not be easy, but beginning is half the battle won already! Iam a LVN that actually started out as a medical asst. I have "stair-stepped" my way through the medical field - and feel I am much better for it. I went from medical asst to EMT, then to LVN and plan to work for my RN in the near future. I was also in my 30's when I began all of this back in 1996. Taking the LVN course is not giving up...it is usually the program that you can get into the earliest...and you learn from that experience, are able to work and earn money much sooner than through the RN program...and its nice to get your feet wet and make sure this is what you really want and can do before going on to the longer education. I enjoy being an LVN...I do want to become a RN because they do get to do more interesting procedures and have many more opportunities...but to feel being an LVN is "giving up" or is not worthy...is a mistake. Anything that makes you learn and grow as a person is an experience that needs to be appreciated. Just go and do what you need to do...that is what is most important...what you want and need...once your family sees what you are learning and that you are enjoying yourself....they will see the light and hopefully be more supportive of you. good luck and best wishes!:flowersfo

LaShell · Oct 14, 2005

I started LPN school at age 36. Now I'm in RN school at 41 and it feels like I've been going to school forever!! However, I don't regret at all that I have chosen the "ladder" route, there's no way I would have been able to get through the tougher classes I have now. LPN school was hard enough and I learned so much, now I'm learning more but I wouldn't have been ready then. Maybe LPN is all the further you'll want to go, it's YOUR choice. I hope your family gets on the bandwagon and is more supportive to you!!

amber74 · Oct 14, 2005

Thank you for all the support.The application has been on my desk for a couple of weeks.Im going to send it in,and continue to work on the RN pre reqs. My number one priority is my family.If it will takes me longer to get there so I can spend more time with my children....so be it!!!!

Amber

TeleRN44 · Oct 14, 2005

I am 35 with two kids, 7 and 5 year old and am in the process of trying to get into local bridge progams. I, too, feel as though I have been going to school for ever!

First, there are some advantages to bridge programs, as well as to having your LPN/LVN. I know from personal experience the RN programs around here are very difficult to get into because there aren't enough slots or schools for the number of applicants. Where I live, the LPN/LVN's don't compete to get in with the rest of the applicants. This gives you an edge, in many cases.

Second, if you chose, you can work to gain experience, with your license on breaks from school.

I wish you the best of luck , Amber!

CrystalAHS · Oct 14, 2005

Amber everyone has had such wonderful things to say!

I was in the RN program in TX just starting my second semester when I found out that my husband was going to be transferred to CO in April. I decided to stay and finish my first year of RN school with my two little kiddos (6 and 3) in tow. My school is a MEEP school so they had a LVN program so I took that during the summer and am now a LPN in CO. This route was extremely difficult for me especially since the LVN summer was full time and I didn't have a hubby to help *but* it was SO worth it. I will continue with my RN in a year after I get residency in CO but the LVN has given me the opportunity to keep up my skills while making some money too (not a bad gig). Bottom line is if nursing is really what you want to do don't let anyone or anything stop you from achieving your goal one way or another. It is so incredibly worth it and your family will see that in the near future. Good luck!!

lisamc1RN, LPN · Oct 14, 2005

You are not alone in your choices. I'm 35, with a husband and 4 children, ages 3-12 yrs. I chose to go to LPN school on a part time basis so that I could spend time with my family. I only have 8 more months until I graduate and I just enrolled in the LPN to RN program nearby for next fall. It will take me at least another 2 years to get my RN. It is totally worth it to me to go at this pace because I am not willing to sacrifice the time away from my family that is necessary to do the other route. I am very happy and have never regretted my decision. Good luck to you. :)

Faeriewand, ASN, RN · Oct 14, 2005

I am a married mom , 31 years old and have a 11,8,4 year old.I have been working on my prereqs for thr R.N program. Im in Anatomy right now...ugh!Anyway,I have the classes to get on the LVN waiting list at a local college.Most the programs in this area have the bridge program(lvn to Rn)for an additional 2 semesters.I thought it would be better to get my feet wet with the LVN.My husband doesnt even want to hear me think about being a LVN.He says Im giving up!My mom said I wont be happy:angryfire
I have been a mom since I was 20.I devoted my twenties to staying at home with the kids.I have no skills that would get me into the workforce.I would like the security if my husband lost his job,we would have some income.Why do I have to defend taking the slower route?
I would love to hear from moms that chose to do the "career ladder",and transition to RN slower.Anybody have this conflict with family??:uhoh21:

Amber, I'm kind of in the same boat as you. I am married with 3 children at home and was going to college part-time and taking pre-req's for the RN program. I took Anatomy/Physiology 1 this summer. I've been going part-time for years so I could still take care of my family. But my time ran out. With only 3 classes to go before I could apply to RN school, (which would then be a one to two year wait to get in) my husband decided to retire from his job. His retirement is set for the end of November now and our income is going to drop severely as we will only be living on his retirement. I knew I needed training for fast employment so am now at a Health Occupations center taking my first class that will get me into a CNA class and is a pre-req for their LVN school. I won't be employed by the time my husband retires so we will have to suck it up a bit but at least I am on the way to financial security and a way to get healthcare for my family. I will get my CNA license before summer of next year and can start working and making the money to pay for LVN school.

Keep taking those pre-req's for RN and go ahead and send in your applications for LVN so that you can keep your options open. If you have tiime on your hands you can continue to go to school part-time and just go straight for RN. If you need employment quicker then LVN is the way to go.

Good Luck! :)